The new Kneecap movie based on the rise of the Belfast Irish language hip-hop trio has won three top awards at the Galway Film Fleadh.
The fictionalised biopic, directed by Rich Peppiatt, had its Irish premiere at the annual festival, which kicked off last week.
It was named the winner of the Best Irish Film and Best Irish Language Film categories, along with landing the Audience Award.
Due for release in cinemas next month, the film offers a dramatized account of how Kneecap rose from undergroup rap act to stars on the verge of mainstream success.
It stars Kneecap’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí as themselves, alongside X-Men and Hunger star Michael Fassbender.
The highly anticipated movie’s world premiere took place back in January at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA, where it won the coveted NEXT Audience Award. It was the first Irish language film ever to be screened at the festival.
Following the wins in Galway, Rich Peppiatt said: “For a film as dyed in the tricolour as Kneecap, the Irish premiere was always going to be special and the audiences in Galway have blown us away.
“To be honoured in the way we have at this beautiful festival is something we’ll never forget. Go raibh míle maith agat the Fleadh.”
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The film’s producer, Trevor Birney, said: “This is a huge endorsement, not only of Rich and Kneecap but also of our cast and crew as well as the financiers who supported us all the way.
“It’s been an amazing week in Galway, and we thank Miriam and the team for backing the film. Roll on the release so everyone can finally see this special film.”
Mr Birney and Mr Peppiatt recently announced they were forming their own production company, Coup d’état Films, which will be based in Belfast and focus on original scripted content.
Last month saw the release of Kneecap’s debut album, Fine Art, to positive reviews from critics, while the group also performed two separate gigs at the Glastonbury festival.
